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Mesothelioma and Merchant Marine Veterans

Considered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to be the "Fourth Arm of Defense," the Merchant Marines have been an integral part of the United States' war efforts since World War II. The Merchant Marine is encompassed by the U.S. Maritime Commission, which consists of U.S.-built, owned, flagged and crewed vessels.

During wartime, the Merchant Marine is considered a Navy auxiliary and is used to transport military supplies and troops to battle. Those who operated the ships are termed Merchant Mariners and the officers are commissioned into the U.S. Maritime Service, allowing them to be considered Veterans. In WWII, Merchant Marines had the highest casualty rate of any service branch; one serviceperson was killed for every 26 in service.

Asbestos on Merchant Marine Ships

Asbestos has been a commonly used material on ships since it was first discovered to be an effective insulator against heat and fire. Asbestos exposure has led to the development of potentially deadly diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Numerous studies have documented the harmful effects of asbestos on Merchant Marines and its increased rate of respiratory diseases.

In a study that included 1,767 marine inspectors who had served in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) between 1942 and 1970, the inspectors had the highest mortality rate when compared to any other officers in the USCG. The researchers in the study found that USCG marine inspectors were exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals such as asbestos, and as a result they were more prone to develop a damaging disease.

Liberty Ships were the primary vessels used to transport war materials to places of conflict. These ships required tons of asbestos-based materials that were contained in boards, pipes, decks, ducts, insulation, gaskets, cords, and heating systems. Because of the high asbestos content that was used to construct these ships, their scrap metal is worthless when the cost of disposing theasbestos is considered.

A 1990 study of long-term U.S. merchant marine seamen analyzed the continuing effects of asbestos that was present on ships. Of the 3,324 chest radiographs that were reviewed, about one-third were found to have pleural or parenchymal abnormalities. Engine crewmen were in particular danger, with 391 of the 920 (42.5 percent) having abnormalities.

The study displayed the long-term effects that asbestos had on the seamen. The majority of the seamen in the cohort were exposed more than 40 years prior. This subgroup carried the highest percentage of abnormalities in the study, with 38.5 percent noting differences in their radiological scans. The engine room crewmen were also highly susceptible to experiencing irregularities. Approximately 47 percent developed abnormalities more than 30 years after initial exposure.

Resources for Veterans

In 1987, Shannon J. Wall and the National Maritime Union filed a lawsuit pushing the federal government to designate Merchant Marines who served during WWII as veterans. As a result, President Ronald Reagan created the Ocean Shipping Reform Act in 1988, extending veteran's benefits to Merchant Marines that had served during WWII.

Previously, Merchant Marines were unable to receive benefits such as the GI Bill that had been extended to other WWII veterans. Recently, in 2007, the U.S. Congress passed House Resolution 23, granting Merchant Marine veterans $1,000 per month in lieu of their lack of benefits between 1946 and 1988.

The Mesothelioma Center offers assistance to veterans when filing a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our Veterans Assistance Department has extensive experience in filing VA claims and obtaining benefits for veterans. If you or a loved one has been affected by mesothelioma, please fill out the form on this page in order to receive a complimentary packet with information about VA benefits, programs and eligibility.

Sources

OSHA Has Issue with Company Doing Asbestos Abatement at Buffalo Housing Project
05/24/2012 - One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
Mesothelioma Patients Hopeful on Anti-Cancer Drugs Entering Clinical Trial Phase
05/23/2012 - A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
Crazy Indian Mascot, Made with Asbestos Tiles, Still Loved at Illinois High School
05/23/2012 - School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..

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